THE laws about wills have not been updated since 1837. For example, there is no provision for electronic wills.
Last May, the Law Commission published its report entitled Modernising Wills Law, which set out key recommendations to update the relevant laws. Some seven months later, the Government has still not acted.
The Law Society supports the Law Commission’s recommendation about electronic wills. We urge the Government to share clear requirements regarding what makes an electronic will valid.
This should include clear rules for digital signatures and safeguards to prevent fraud and coercion, and to ensure people can make wills freely and with full understanding.
Technology plays a key role in our lives nowadays so incorporating it into wills is long overdue. The Government must act now to ensure people can adequately protect their final wishes.
Mark Evans, president, the Law Society of England and Wales
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